Hartmut and Martin were at EuroShop – not to present, but to listen. The video (2 minutes) shows the conversations we had with industry experts there. Wolfgang Steuer from Softpay and Shefket Robelli from Voltox speak plainly about the future of retail payment. They make it clear what is really at stake.

The situation: complexity is increasing

If you work in retail – be it gastronomy, retail or system catering – you know this: payment is no longer just a technical issue. It’s a jungle of providers, methods, integration projects and hidden costs. You need card payments, digital wallets, possibly regional standards such as ep2 in Switzerland, plus the pressure to reduce costs without compromising on security and flexibility.

This is nothing new. But it is becoming increasingly acute.

At EuroShop, we received confirmation of exactly that: The market is turning. Retailers want less payment chaos – but not fewer options. They want control. They want transparency. And they don’t want to reintegrate every five years because a provider changes its fee structure.

The payment broker model: what other industries have been doing for a long time

In insurance, in financial advice, in the real estate market – there are brokers everywhere. They act as intermediaries between you and the providers. They know the market, compare objectively, negotiate better conditions and, above all, they are independent. In payments, this model has only just come of age.

A good payment broker does three things:

1. It is neutral. He doesn’t earn from you choosing a particular provider – he earns from your transactions running. His job is to build the best setup for you, not the most profitable one for him.
2. It decouples you from dependencies. You no longer change an entire acquirer or PSP – this is a project. With a broker, you change a routing rule and move on. No integration project. No media change.
3. He gives you your data back. Payment data is valuable. They are yours. A good broker unifies them, makes them analyzable and gives you real control – without you having to deal with technical debt or compliance pitfalls.

What the EuroShop talks showed

The conversation between Hartmut, Wolfgang and Shefket was revealing: the market now accepts this logic. The question is no longer “do I need a broker?” – the question is “how does a good broker work?”
That is the right question. Because there is an important difference between a broker who is just another intermediary and a broker who truly orchestrates: A real broker automates. Not manual. Not hybrid. End-to-end digital.

This means that your onboarding is not three weeks of paperwork, but a process that runs. Your transactions are routed intelligently – not according to profit margins, but according to your requirements. Your compliance requirements are solved, not constantly an open construction site ticket.
It’s complex to build. But when it’s up and running, it changes the rules of the game.

Why transparency is the key word

Another point that Hartmut emphasized in the interview: Transparency in the fee structure.

Too many brokers still work with hidden kickbacks. They tell you: “The PSP costs X percent.” And then they earn Y percent without you seeing it. It’s the same game as before – just with a new name.

A good broker says: “Here are the fees. They’re transaction-based. That’s it.” No hidden margins. No fees for things you don’t need. You see exactly what you’re paying – and why.

What this means for you

If you are a SwiPay partner or would like to work with us: We are building exactly this model. We are not another payment provider that makes you an offer and then makes you dependent. We are the point of contact between you and a network of providers – and our job is to build the best infrastructure for you, not the best margin for ourselves.

This only works if you trust us. And trust comes from clarity, consistency and genuine independence.
What we learned at EuroShop confirms exactly that: the market is looking for real brokers. Not more providers.

More about the video – and the strategy behind it

Watch the 2-minute clip. It’s worth it. You’re hearing from experts, not from us. And that’s exactly the point: a good broker doesn’t talk about himself. He creates the space for the market and expertise to talk to each other.

If you want to find out more about the payment broker model – or if you’re thinking about how it could work in your area – write to us or visit swipay.ch.

With passion. With focus. With you.